Horseshoe Ring Line Attachment

[Kayamore]

Just got a horseshoe ring. What is proper way to attach a line to it? How long should the line be? What kind of line? suggestions on what kind of holder for it on the boat.

[barnakiel]

The line between the horshoe and what?

b.

[delmarrey]

First you'll want a floating line as long as you can manage (50' +).

Normally, there is a slip loop that goes around the bent end, if it doesn't have an attachment. The other end if the line should be tied to a stanchion that it's mounted too. The open end of the horseshoe should have a strap that closes the gap for when in use.

And there is a "U" shaped holder that holds it on the stanchion, that can be purchased at marine supplies.

[barnakiel]

I differ in opinion.

I do not tie the horseshoe buoy to the boat.

b.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I differ in opinion.

I do not tie the horseshoe buoy to the boat.

b.

Agreed. I've seen the horseshoe buoy tied to a floating man-overboard flag with a short section of floating line, but I wouldn't tie it to the boat. You'll end up pulling it away from the person requiring the flotation.

Don't confuse the function of the horseshoe buoy with a Lifesling-type device.

[Kayamore]

Originally Posted by Bash

Agreed. I've seen the horseshoe buoy tied to a floating man-overboard flag with a short section of floating line, but I wouldn't tie it to the boat. You'll end up pulling it away from the person requiring the flotation.

Don't confuse the function of the horseshoe buoy with a Lifesling-type device.

What exactly is the function of the horseshoe buoy?

[Capt Phil]

Bash is right... Kayamore, the function is to easily get an arm through the horseshoe for immediate flotation assistance, attached to a MOB flag with a 1/4 inch poly floating line around 20 feet long. This gives the boat something to aim for even with a sea running to affect a rescue... horseshoe buoy not to be used for lifting... use a life sling or facsimile.
Capt Phil

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Bash

Agreed. I've seen the horseshoe buoy tied to a floating man-overboard flag with a short section of floating line, but I wouldn't tie it to the boat. You'll end up pulling it away from the person requiring the flotation.

Don't confuse the function of the horseshoe buoy with a Lifesling-type device.

Sorry, my horse shoe is tied to the pole. I have both, one's on the boat the other's on the MOB pole. It depends on the weather which I would use. The pole also has a strobe attached. But the horse shoe can be deployed the same as a lifesling.

It's just the horseshoe was not designed for lifting a person out of the water.

LifeSling - YouTube

[Lewis Brackett]

It's just the horseshoe was not designed for lifting a person out of the water

people have horseshoe rings on their boats because they look cute.
a standard life ring is more useful .......

[barnakiel]

The buoy is there to give support to the person in the water.

For serious outings it should be attached to a stake with a flag and the marker be equipped with a light. If the buoy is tied to a typical bouy light only then the light may serve the double purpose of a drogue, otherwise the wind may pick the buoy up and toss it beyond reach of the person in water.

b.

[Kayamore]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

Bash is right... Kayamore, the function is to easily get an arm through the horseshoe for immediate flotation assistance, attached to a MOB flag with a 1/4 inch poly floating line around 20 feet long. This gives the boat something to aim for even with a sea running to affect a rescue... horseshoe buoy not to be used for lifting... use a life sling or facsimile.
Capt Phil

Is the line attached to the boat or not. Many conflicting theories. Thanks

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Kayamore

Is the line attached to the boat or not. Many conflicting theories. Thanks

No. If you attach the buoy to the boat, you will drag it away from the person in the water. The whole point of the buoy is to give people something to assist with flotation (and visibility) until the boat comes back to pick them up.

The ideal MOB setup is to have BOTH a throwable cushion/horseshoe/life ring AND a lifesling. Don't try to set up a horseshoe buoy accomplish both jobs.

You don't want the MOB swimming after the boat, especially if you're going to execute a figure eight. Rather, you want the MOB to swim to the buoy and wait until you come back, at that point with your lifesling deployed.

There are no conflicting theories here. Just a right way and a wrong way.

[denverd0n]

At the very least, you need something that is NOT attached to the boat, that you throw to the person in the water FIRST, which is there simply to provide them with additional flotation. Then, when you have stopped the boat, or brought it back to where the MOB is, you can throw them something that IS attached to the boat and use that to bring them back on board.

[Kayamore]

Thanks for all the information. I love this site and everyone who gives me information.